Paper napkin



E. 'C. MORRIS PAPER NAPKIN NOV. 29, 1938.

Filed Nov. 23, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTQR.

E. C. MORRIS PAPER NAPKIN Nov. 29, 193 s.

Filed Nov. 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PAPER NAPKIN Application November 23, 1935, Serial No. 51,227

2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in paper napkins and like devices.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved type of folded paper napkins.

A further object of my invention is to rrovide a new and improved folded napkin which can be efficiently dispensed from either a closed dispenser or from open holders.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved folded napkin with crosswise folds of several thicknesses spaced from the top and bottom of the napkin and extending around both sides, thus reinforcing both sides and giving added strength and support to the body of the napkin.

A further objectof the invention is to provide a napkin so folded that a pair of parallel edge portions will be presented crosswise on both sides of each napkin, spaced from the top and bottom of the napkin so that the same may be easily grasped through a small slot or opening at the top of a dispenser, regardless of which end of the napkin is placed up or down. As all other napkins of the prior art have but one crosswise tab to be grasped through a small slot, it is necessary for attendants in packing cartons of napkins of this type, to pack so that the crosswise tab on each one will be in the same position. My improved napkin is so constructed that it will vbe immaterial whether the napkins are placed right side up or inverted in a package.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved napkin capable of being dispensed from a dispenser having only a small crosswise opening, thereby closing substantially all of a stack of napkins and protecting the same from dust, dirt, wind, gases, insects, etc. The four cross tabs which I provide in my improved napkin upon opposite sides and ends thereof insure a highly improved dispensing service which is extremely desirable for small restaurants and public eating places.

A further object of the invention is to provide a napkin folded with reinforcing folds crosswise on both sides of each napkin so that the above mentioned folds will space the napkins from each other so that only one at a time will be withdrawn from either a closed or open folder.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved napkin so folded that when the same is removed from a container, it will tend to unfold as it is withdrawn, thereby partially completing the unfolding of the napkin by the simple act of removing the same from a container.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved napkin so folded that the napkin is shorter and more compact so that packages of 5- the same will occupy less space and smaller holders may be used, thus permitting the use of napkin holders of smaller construction for counter and table service in crowded restaurants.

Other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following description, wherein reference is had to the accompanying two sheets of drawings upon which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a square napkin before the same has been folded;

Fig. 2 is a similar perspecive view after the first fold has been made;

Fig. 3 is a similar perspective view after the second fold has been made;

Fig. 4 is a similar perspective view after the th rd fold has been made;

Fig. 5 is a similar perspective view of a completely folded napkin;

Fig. 6 is a side perspective view of a closed container having a plurality of improved napkins positioned therein;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view through the container and napkin; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view through the folded napkin, taken on the line 8--8 of Fig. 5.

In carrying out my invention I have shown a square napkin, ill, which may be formed of any desired or suitable paper, fabric or other similar material. By the use of comparatively simple folding machinery, I provide a vertical fold along the dotted line I2, to form a partial double thickness fold of the napkin that is shown in Fig. 2, with the portion [4 partially overlapping the portion It. This fold thus provides a panel of double thickness and a panel of single thickness, the said panels being of substantially the same width. This fold may be obtained by running the paper napkin over a V- shaped former. From the V-shaped former, and after this operation has been completed, the napkins are adapted to be run down between feed rollers to a point where a tucker plate forms a transverse fold on the dotted line l8, shown in Fig. 2, to produce the partially folded napkin shown in Fig. 3, with the lower portion of both [4 and i6 folded up beyond the upper edge of the napkin to provide the uneven sections 25 and 22.

With the napkin in the condition shown in Fig. 3, it is again fed between rollers to a point 55 where a tucker plate forms a second transverse fold on the dotted line 2 5, folding down the upper portion 26 of the section 22, to the posi tion shown in Fig. 4. In this arrangement, there are a plurality of superposed plies of successively narrower width, namely the plies 2E], 22 and 26 as shown in said Fig. 4.

With the partially completed napkin in the condition shown in Fig. 4, the folding of the same is now completed by making a final fold at right angles to the parallel folds by which plies 2d, 222, and 25 are provided, such final fold being made in the direction for bringing the opposite portions of the narrowest ply 26 on the outside faces of the final folded sheet, as shown Fi ure 5. In. this construction, the finally folded napkin is provided with plural ply grasping tabs a and as in Figures 4% and 5 for grasping the folded napkin and facilitating its removal from the dispenser. Also free single ply tab portions :2 and y are provided upon opposed faces of the folded napkin which, when grasped one in each hand and pulled apart, will fully unfold the sheet ready for use. The unfolded sheet will also remain in substantially flat condition after being so unfolded. It can thus be seen that in packing in receptacles or in packing for shipment, the upper or lower ends of the napkin being similar, it will he immaterial whether they are packed in groups as shown in Fig. 5, or whether the napkins are inverted.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a closed receptacle Sil,

having side walls 32, a base and an upper wall The end walls 38 may be formed with a rectangular opening therein through which napkins may be dispensed. Thus from the sectional view of the receptacle it can be seen that the napkins may be placed in the same either inverted or right side up, and they will be ready v to be dispensed out of either or both sides of the receptacle.

In Fig. 8 I have shown an enlarged sectional View of the folded napkin, from which it can be seen that the portions 22 and 26 provide upon 7 one side of the napkin, a reinforcing strip thicker upon one side than upon the other side. This, however, has been found to be immaterial in packing or using the napkin.

It will be evident from the foregoing description that a folded napkin has been provided which is highly advantageous over any other of the prior art. The advantage of the reinforcing strip spaced between the bottom and the top of the napkins is believed to be evident, as well 4 as the fact that the same may be grasped from either side or end equally as well to withdraw a napkin from a holder to open the same for use.

While I have illustrated and described a specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that changes and modifications may be made and I do not wish to be limited in any particular, rather what I desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A folded napkin adapted to be stored in and dispensed from a dispenser composing a rectangular sheet, a marginal portion of said sheet being folded over so as to provide a panel of double thickness anda panel of single thickness, said panels being of substantially the same width, said folded sheet being folded at right angles to said first named fold in successively reversed parallel folds to produce a plurality of plies superposed and overlying said panels, said plies being of successively narrower width with the narrowest ply centrally disposed with respect to the widest ply, said folded sheet being medially folded at right angles to said parallel folds so as to bring the end portions of the ply of least width on the outer faces of the folded sheet, said final folded sheet having a plural ply grasping tab on opposed faces thereof for facilitating removal of the folded sheet from the dispenser, and said final folded sheet having upon opposed faces thereof, free single ply tab portions which, when grasped one in each hand of the user and pulled apart, will fully unfold the folded sheet.

2. A folded napkin adapted to be stored in and dispensed from a dispenser composing a rectangular sheet, a marginal portion of said sheet being folded over so as to provide a panel of double thickness and a panel of single thickness, said panels being of substantially the same width, said folded sheet being folded at right angles to said first named fold in successively reversed parallel folds to produce a plurality of plies superposed and overlying said panels, said plies being of successively narrower width, said folded sheet being medially folded at right angles to said parallel folds so as to bring the end portions of the ply of least width on the outer faces of the folded sheet, said final folded sheet having a plural ply grasping tab on opposed faces thereof for facilitating removal. of the folded sheet from the dispenser, and said final folded sheet having upon opposed faces thereof, free single ply tab portions which, when grasped one in each hand of the user and pulled apart, will fully unfold the folded sheet.

ELMER C. MORRIS. 

